What role does fog play in the coastal climate of California?
Note
Fog along the California coast helps to cool temperatures during the summer months.
California's coastal areas are often influenced by fog, which is particularly common in cities like San Francisco. This fog forms when cool ocean air meets the warmer inland air, creating a blanket of fog that rolls in from the ocean. During the summer, this fog lowers temperatures, especially in the mornings and evenings, keeping coastal regions cooler compared to inland areas. The fog helps maintain a moderate climate, preventing the extreme heat typical of inland areas. It often burns off by the afternoon, leaving behind pleasant, cooler conditions.